The Accuser's Challenge and Job's Calamities
Job 1:6-22
Job.1.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- להתיצב: VERB,hitpael,inf
- על: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויבוא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- גם: ADV
- השטן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בתוכם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Job 2:1 (verbal): Repeats the same scene language: "a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD," with Satan again coming among them—nearly identical wording and continuation of the same narrative framework.
- Psalm 82:1 (thematic): Invokes the divine council motif: God stands in the assembly of the 'gods' to judge—similar imagery of heavenly beings meeting before the LORD as in Job 1:6.
- 1 Kings 22:19 (structural): Micaiah's vision of the LORD on his throne with 'all the host of heaven' standing by echoes the structural setting of a heavenly council where divine beings appear before God.
- Zechariah 3:1 (allusion): Depicts Satan standing at the right hand to oppose Joshua the high priest—parallels Job's portrayal of Satan among the heavenly beings functioning as accuser/adversary in the divine assembly.
- Revelation 12:10 (thematic): Calls Satan 'the accuser of our brothers' who accuses them before God—New Testament identification of Satan's role parallels Job's presentation of Satan as an accuser in the heavenly council.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
- Now it came to pass on the day that the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser also came among them.
Job.1.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- השטן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מאין: ADV,interrog
- תבא: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- השטן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משוט: PREP+VERB,qal,ptcp,0,m,sg
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ומהתהלך: CONJ+PREP+VERB,hitpael,ptcp,0,m,sg
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Job 2:2 (verbal): Repeats the same exchange between the LORD and Satan ('From where do you come?'), echoing the opening scene and confirming the heavenly interrogation motif.
- 1 Chronicles 21:1 (thematic): Portrays Satan as an active agent on earth who incites and moves among people (instigating David to number Israel), reflecting the adversary's earthly activity in Job 1:7.
- Zechariah 3:1 (allusion): Depicts Satan standing to oppose Joshua the high priest before the angel of the LORD—another scene showing Satan's role as accuser/opposer in the divine council context.
- 1 Peter 5:8 (thematic): Describes the devil as roaming or prowling about seeking victims, resonating with Job's depiction of Satan 'going to and fro on the earth.'
- Revelation 12:9 (thematic): Identifies Satan/the ancient serpent as the deceiver of the whole world, linking to Job's image of a roaming adversary active in the world.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD said to Satan, 'From where do you come?' And Satan answered the LORD, 'From roaming on the earth and walking about in it.'
- And the LORD said to the Accuser, “From where do you come?” And the Accuser answered the LORD, “From roaming on the earth, and from walking about in it.”
Job.1.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- השטן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- השמת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- עבדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- איוב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אין: PART,neg
- כמהו: PRT+PRON,3,ms
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תם: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- וישר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וסר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מרע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Job 2:3 (verbal): God again challenges Satan with the same wording—repeating that Job is 'blameless and upright, one who fears God and turns away from evil.'
- Job 1:1 (structural): The chapter's opening summary uses the identical portrait of Job ('blameless and upright; one who feared God and turned away from evil'), providing the background for God's commendation in 1:8.
- Genesis 6:9 (verbal): Noah is described as 'righteous' and 'blameless' (a similar formula)—another prime example of a God‑fearing, morally upright figure in the biblical tradition.
- Psalm 15:2 (thematic): The psalm's depiction of one who 'walks blamelessly and does what is right' resonates with the ethical qualities ascribed to Job in 1:8.
- James 5:11 (allusion): The New Testament cites 'the patience of Job' and God's compassionate end as an example—an early Christian allusion to Job's righteousness and endurance under trial.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD said to Satan, 'Have you taken notice of my servant Job? There is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil.'
- And the LORD said to the Accuser, “Have you set your heart on my servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil.”
Job.1.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- השטן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- החנם: ADV
- ירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- איוב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Job 2:4-5 (structural): Same interlocutor (the satan) continues the challenge to God about Job’s righteousness and proposes additional testing—parallel exchange and accusation motif within the same narrative.
- Zechariah 3:1-2 (allusion): Satan appears standing to accuse the high priest before the Lord, functioning as heavenly prosecutor—parallels Job’s role as one accused in the divine council.
- Revelation 12:10 (thematic): Describes Satan as 'the accuser of our brethren,' reflecting the same accusatory role Satan plays in challenging Job’s piety.
- Matthew 4:1-11 (thematic): Satan’s testing/temptation of Jesus echoes the motif of the adversary challenging the faithfulness of a righteous person (as he does with Job).
- 1 Chronicles 21:1 (thematic): Satan acts as an instigator/adversary who provokes David to bring calamity—another example of Satan opposing God’s servants and testing their fidelity.
Alternative generated candidates
- Satan answered the LORD, 'Does Job fear God for nothing?'
- Then the Accuser answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing?
Job.1.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הלא: PART
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- שכת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בעדו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ובעד: CONJ+PREP
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובעד: CONJ+PREP
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מסביב: ADV,loc
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,suff:3,m,sg
- ברכת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- ומקנהו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- פרץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 28:12 (verbal): Speaks of the LORD blessing 'all the work of your hands' and prospering your undertakings — language closely parallel to Job 1:10's 'You have blessed the work of his hands.'
- Genesis 26:12-13 (verbal): Isaac is said to have been blessed by the LORD so that he 'became prosperous' and had great possessions, echoing Job 1:10's note of divine blessing and increase in the land.
- Psalm 128:2 (verbal): Promises that one will 'eat the fruit of his hands' and be blessed — a succinct proverbization of the idea that God's blessing makes the work of a person's hands prosper, as in Job 1:10.
- Proverbs 10:22 (thematic): States 'The blessing of the LORD makes rich,' connecting the theme that prosperity and increase come from divine blessing, the theological point at issue in Job 1:10.
- Psalm 34:7 (thematic): Declares that 'the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him' — a protective surrounding like the 'hedge' or barrier God is depicted as having placed around Job and his household in Job 1:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'Have you not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands; his possessions have increased in the land.'
- Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
Job.1.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואולם: CONJ
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- וגע: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- על: PREP
- פניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- יברכך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj:2,m,sg
Parallels
- Job 2:5 (verbal): Satan repeats the exact pattern of challenge to God, asking permission to strike Job’s body—closely parallels verse 1:11’s challenge to touch Job’s possessions.
- Luke 22:31 (thematic): Jesus warns Simon that Satan has demanded to sift him like wheat—similar motif of Satan requesting permission to test or afflict a faithful person.
- Zechariah 3:1-2 (allusion): Satan stands to accuse Joshua the high priest before the Lord, portraying Satan as an accuser who brings charges—parallels Satan’s accusatory role in Job 1:11.
- Luke 4:9-11 (thematic): During the temptation of Jesus the devil urges Him to test God’s protection by throwing Himself down—echoes the idea of provoking God by inflicting/testing the righteous.
- Revelation 12:10 (thematic): Describes Satan as the 'accuser of our brethren' who accuses them before God, reflecting the same accusing/testing function attributed to Satan in Job 1:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'But now stretch out your hand and touch all that he has; he will surely curse you to your face.'
- But now stretch out your hand and touch all that he has; he will surely curse you to your face.”
Job.1.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- השטן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנה: PART
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בידך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,sg
- רק: PRT
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- תשלח: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- השטן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מעם: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Job 2:6 (verbal): A near-verbal parallel: God again permits Satan to harm Job (this time his body) while placing a specific limit (not to kill), repeating the pattern of divine permission and restriction.
- Zechariah 3:1-2 (thematic): Satan appears as the heavenly accuser opposing God's servant; the LORD rebukes or restrains him—paralleling the adversary’s role before God and divine control over his activity.
- 1 Kings 22:19-23 (structural): In the heavenly council motif God permits a spirit to work (a lying spirit sent to Ahab’s prophets) to accomplish a purpose—structurally similar: divine sovereignty permitting an adversarial spirit to act.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 (thematic): Paul describes a 'messenger of Satan' given to buffet him, with the affliction serving God's purposes—thematic parallel of God allowing satanic hardship within a redemptive framework.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD said to Satan, 'Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on him.' So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.
- And the LORD said to the Accuser, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So the Accuser departed from the presence of the LORD.
Job.1.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ובניו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ובנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3ms
- אכלים: VERB,ptc,qal,act,_,m,pl
- ושתים: NUM,f,pl,abs
- יין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff,3,m,pl
- הבכור: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Luke 17:26-29 (quotation): Jesus alludes to the days of Noah and Lot—people 'eating and drinking' (and marrying) up to the moment of sudden destruction, paralleling Job's children feasting immediately before catastrophe.
- Genesis 19:1-29 (thematic): The narrative of Sodom shows ordinary domestic life and conviviality in the city immediately prior to divine judgment—a direct thematic parallel to the feasting in Job 1:13.
- Amos 6:4-6 (thematic): Condemns the complacent who 'drink wine by the bowl' and feast while ignoring impending disaster—echoes the motif of luxurious feasting before punishment found in Job.
- 2 Peter 2:6-8 (allusion): Peter recalls the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of sudden judgment on the indulgent; this allusion to destruction following licit-seeming social activity parallels Job's scene of a feast cut short.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now on the day his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother,
- Now it happened on the day that his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house,
Job.1.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומלאך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- איוב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הבקר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- חרשות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- והאתנות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,def
- רעות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- ידיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
Parallels
- Job 1:15 (verbal): Immediate narrative parallel — the next verse continues the messenger report, naming the Sabeans' attack and the taking/killing of servants (same incident sequence).
- Job 1:16 (verbal): Another successive messenger report in the same scene—continues the pattern of sudden calamities delivered by messengers (fire from heaven destroys flocks and servants).
- 1 Kings 19:19 (thematic): Shared agricultural imagery—Elisha is found 'plowing with oxen,' echoing the motif of oxen at work in the field present in Job 1:14.
- 2 Samuel 1:2 (structural): Parallel narrative formula: a messenger comes to a leading figure to announce disaster/death. Both passages use the same structural device of a runner/messenger delivering tragic news.
Alternative generated candidates
- there came a messenger to Job and said, 'The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,'
- that a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys were feeding beside them,
Job.1.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותפל: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- שבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותקחם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- הנערים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואמלטה: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- רק: PRT
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- לבדי: ADV,sg,suff,1,sg
- להגיד: INF,hiph
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 1:2-10 (verbal): A messenger brings news of a sudden disaster/death and emphasizes that he alone escaped to report it (parallels Job 1:15's 'I alone escaped to tell you').
- 1 Samuel 30:1-6, 11-16 (thematic): The Amalekite raid on Ziklag: enemies carry off wives and children and survivors bring the bad tidings — parallels the Sabean raid that took servants and the lone survivor's report in Job.
- Genesis 34:25-29 (thematic): An episode of sudden violence, killing of men and carrying off goods/people after a raid — thematically comparable to the capture and slaughter described in Job 1:15.
- Judges 19:25-30 (structural): A violent assault followed by a shocking report sent to the tribes; like Job 1:15, the passage combines atrocity, slaughter, and the transmission of the distressing news (including the sense of a sole witness/urgent report).
Alternative generated candidates
- 'and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them, and they struck the servants with the edge of the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you.'
- when the Sabeans fell upon them and carried them off, and they slew the young men with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Job.1.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- עוד: ADV
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- וזה: CONJ+PRON,dem,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נפלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מן: PREP
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ותבער: VERB,hiph,impf,3,f,sg
- בצאן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובנערים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ותאכלם: VERB,qal,impf,3,fs+3mp
- ואמלטה: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- רק: PRT
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- לבדי: ADV,sg,suff,1,sg
- להגיד: INF,hiph
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Job 1:14 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same narrative: the earlier messenger reports a raid on the oxen and ends with the same survivor formula (“I only am escaped alone to tell thee”), creating a structural series of calamity reports.
- Job 1:17 (verbal): Another report in the same sequence that uses the identical survivor refrain; together vv.14–19 form a structural pattern of successive messengers bringing escalating disasters.
- 1 Kings 18:38 (verbal): Elijah’s prayer is answered when the ‘fire of the LORD’ falls from heaven and consumes the sacrifice—language and imagery closely parallel Job’s ‘fire of God fell from heaven’ destroying flocks and servants.
- 2 Kings 1:10–12 (thematic): Elijah calls down fire from heaven to consume the king’s captains; thematically related as examples of divine fire from heaven used as judgment/punishment.
- 2 Chronicles 7:1 (verbal): When Solomon finishes praying, ‘fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering,’ echoing the motif and phrasing of heavenly fire consuming sacrificial animals/offerings and reinforcing the idea of divine action from above.
Alternative generated candidates
- While he was still speaking, another also came and said, 'The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; I alone have escaped to tell you.'
- While he was yet speaking, another came and said, “Fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the young men and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Job.1.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- עוד: ADV
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- וזה: CONJ+PRON,dem,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כשדים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- שלשה: NUM,m
- ראשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויפשטו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- הגמלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויקחום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- הנערים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואמלטה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,sg
- רק: PRT
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- לבדי: ADV,sg,suff,1,sg
- להגיד: INF,hiph
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Job 1:15 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same scene: an earlier messenger reports Sabeans seizing Job’s oxen and donkeys and killing the servants — repeats the raid/plunder motif and the messenger formula.
- Job 1:16 (structural): Part of the triplet of successive calamities reported by messengers (fire from heaven, Sabeans, Chaldeans); parallels in structure and in the pattern of sudden, violent loss.
- Genesis 37:25-28 (thematic): Caravan/raiders seize people and property (Joseph taken by Ishmaelites/Midianites) — similar motif of bands raiding camels/servants and carrying people off.
- 1 Samuel 30:1-2,16-17 (thematic): Amalekite raid on Ziklag: raiders plunder, burn, and kill or carry off people — closely parallels the violence, plunder, and massacre reported to a survivor.
- Psalm 79:1-4 (thematic): A foreign host invades, devastates the land, and slaughters God’s servants — thematically akin to enemy bands raiding, killing servants, and leaving survivors to report.
Alternative generated candidates
- While he was still speaking, another also came and said, 'The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them, and struck the servants with the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you.'
- While he was yet speaking, another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and carried them off, and they slew the young men with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Job.1.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- עד: PREP
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- וזה: CONJ+PRON,dem,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בניך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+POSS,2,m,sg
- ובנותיך: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs,2ms
- אכלים: VERB,ptc,qal,act,_,m,pl
- ושתים: NUM,f,pl,abs
- יין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff,3,m,pl
- הבכור: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 4:17-22 (thematic): A messenger brings sudden, devastating news about the defeat and the death of sons (Phinehas's/Elkanah's sons), producing shock and immediate consequences for the father—parallel theme of a report of children killed while the parent is informed.
- 2 Samuel 18:31-33 (structural): A young man/runner brings the king news of Absalom’s death; the scene mirrors the narrative pattern of a messenger delivering catastrophic familial news and the emotional fallout for the bereaved parent.
- Luke 17:28-29 (thematic): Describes people ‘eating and drinking’ when sudden destruction comes (Sodom’s overthrow); parallels the motif of ordinary feasting interrupted by abrupt calamity.
- Matthew 24:38 (verbal): Uses the same everyday activity phrase (‘eating and drinking’) to depict normal life cut short by sudden judgment—verbal and thematic echo of the sudden disaster striking those who were feasting.
Alternative generated candidates
- While he was yet speaking, another came and said, 'Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother,'
- While he was yet speaking, another came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house,
Job.1.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והנה: ADV
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- באה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מעבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- ויגע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בארבע: PREP
- פנות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- הנערים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וימותו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ואמלטה: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- רק: PRT
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- לבדי: ADV,sg,suff,1,sg
- להגיד: INF,hiph
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Job 1:14 (verbal): One of the earlier messengers; uses the same stock formula ('I alone am escaped to tell thee') and follows the pattern of sudden raids/calamity reports to Job.
- Job 1:15 (verbal): Another preceding report describing fire from heaven that destroyed flocks and servants; repeats the identical closing phrase and the motif of divinely‑inflicted disaster.
- Job 1:17 (verbal): The third messenger's account of Sabean attack; again uses the same phrasing ('I only am escaped alone to tell thee'), reinforcing the repetitive report structure.
- Job 1:18 (structural): Immediate narrative setup for v.19 ('while he was yet speaking...'); structurally links the sequence of messengers and heightens the suddenness of the final calamity described in v.19.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'and a great wind came from across the desert and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, so that they are dead; I alone have escaped to tell you.'
- and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, so that it fell upon the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Job.1.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- איוב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויקרע: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מעלו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ויגז: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישתחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 37:34-35 (verbal): Jacob rends his garments, puts on sackcloth and mourns for Joseph—same ritual of tearing clothes as an expression of grief.
- 2 Samuel 1:11-12 (verbal): David and the men rent their clothes and mourn after learning of Saul and Jonathan's deaths—another instance of keriah (tearing garments) in response to calamity.
- 2 Samuel 12:20-22 (thematic): After the death of his child David rises from the ground and worships the LORD—parallels Job’s rising from the earth and his act of worship amid loss.
- Isaiah 22:12-13 (thematic): The prophetic summons to weeping, mourning, baldness and sackcloth links shaving the head and sackcloth with public lament, echoing Job’s shaved head and mourning attire.
- Ezekiel 7:18 (verbal): Explicit instruction to 'shave your heads and make yourselves bald' for sorrow—directly parallels the image of shaving the head as a sign of mourning in Job 1:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground and prostrated himself.
- Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground and worshiped.
Job.1.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ערם: ADJ,m,sg
- יצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- מבטן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמי: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וערם: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אשוב: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- שמה: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לקח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהי: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מברך: VERB,piel,ptc,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Job 2:10 (structural): Job's response to suffering repeats the same posture of reverent acceptance and trust in God's sovereignty after further calamity; both passages function as bookends of Job's initial submission to God.
- Ecclesiastes 5:15 (verbal): Closely parallels the wording and idea that a person 'comes naked from the womb and departs naked,' emphasizing life's transience and the inability to carry possessions beyond death.
- 1 Timothy 6:7 (thematic): Echoes the theme that humans bring nothing into the world and cannot take possessions out, reinforcing the perspective of detachment from material wealth present in Job 1:21.
- James 1:17 (thematic): Shares the theological point that good gifts originate with God — connecting to Job's recognition that the LORD 'gave' — underscoring divine source of blessings.
- Deuteronomy 32:39 (allusion): Affirms God's sovereign control over life and death ('I kill and make alive'), paralleling Job's affirmation that the LORD both gives and takes away.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.'
- And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
Job.1.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- חטא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- איוב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תפלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לאלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Job 2:10 (verbal): A near-verbal parallel in the same book: Job again refuses to sin or blame God in the face of further affliction (often rendered 'did not sin with his lips').
- James 5:11 (allusion): The New Testament explicitly cites Job as an example of patient endurance under suffering ('you have heard of the patience of Job'), linking his righteous non-accusation of God to later exhortation.
- 1 Peter 2:20-23 (thematic): Peter presents Christ's patient, non-retaliatory response to unjust suffering (he did not revile) as parallel to the righteous endurance and refusal to blame God exemplified by Job.
- Romans 5:3-4 (thematic): Paul's teaching that suffering produces perseverance and character echoes the theological implication of Job's faithful endurance despite intense trials.
- Psalm 34:19 (thematic): The psalmist observes that 'many are the afflictions of the righteous' yet God delivers them—capturing the theme that the righteous can suffer without sinning or charging God.
Alternative generated candidates
- In all this, Job did not sin nor charge God with wrongdoing.
- In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrongdoing.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser also came among them.
The LORD said to the Accuser, “From where do you come?” The Accuser answered the LORD, “From roaming on the earth and walking about in it.”
The LORD said to the Accuser, “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil.”
The Accuser answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing?”
“Have you not put a hedge about him and about his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.”
“But stretch out your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse you to your face.”
The LORD said to the Accuser, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on him.” So the Accuser went out from the presence of the LORD. Now on the day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine at their eldest brother’s house,
a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys were feeding beside them;
and the Sabeans fell upon them and carried them off; they put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said, “Fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them; I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said, “Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and carried them off; they struck the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine at their eldest brother’s house;
and behold, a great wind came from across the desert and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, so that they died; and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell to the ground and worshiped.
He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with wrongdoing.